St. Therese of the Child Jesus Parish in Midvale celebrates 100 years of faith and diversity

Friday, Oct. 10, 2025

MIDVALE — St. Therese of the Child Jesus Parish is in the middle of a yearlong celebration of its centennial, honoring the heritage of one of Utah’s oldest parishes.

“To me, it’s like being part of the history of the parish,” said Father Jose Gregorio Rausseo, pastor, of the celebration. “I feel like it’s a blessing.”

Fr. Rausseo was appointed pastor in August 2023, though this isn’t his first time serving the community. He previously spent time at St. Therese during his seminary years and as an interim pastor. He is enjoying his current stint, noting the parish is “beautiful” and its people are “easy to love.” 

St. Therese’s began as a mission of Saint Ann Parish in Salt Lake City in 1917. In September 1925, the parish of St. Vincent de Paul was established in Murray with Father Patrick Maguire (monsignor 1948) as pastor. Fr. Maguire also served as St. Therese’s pastor from 1925 to 1934.

The parish’s first building, known as the “Little Rock Church,” was built in 1927 and dedicated by the Right Rev. John J. Mitty, third Bishop of Salt Lake, in 1928. The Most Rev. James E. Kearney, fourth bishop of the diocese, formally established St. Therese as its own parish in 1934, naming Father Joseph Gosselin (monsignor 1953) as pastor.

Thirty years later, with parish growth, a new church was built. This building was severely damaged by a fire in 2008, but parish leaders decided to renovate and expand it. The Most Rev. John C. Wester, ninth bishop of the diocese, rededicated the church in 2009. Just a year later, in July 2010, the historic Little Rock Church was also re-dedicated. It remains in use today, hosting daily weekday Masses and Eucharistic Adoration.

The parish currently serves more than 2,000 families and 5,072 individuals, the majority of whom have a Hispanic heritage and are Spanish-speaking, Fr. Rausseo said. Three of the weekly Masses are held in Spanish, while two are in English. The community includes 170 students enrolled in catechism classes and features an active charismatic prayer group and a Legion of Mary praesidium.

Parishioners maintain a strong devotion to St. Therese of Lisieux, whose full religious name was Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face. Popularly known as the Little Flower, she was canonized 100 years ago, an event that coincided with the parish’s formation.

Stephanie Lara, parish assistant at St. Therese’s, noted the unique timing. 

“Not only are we celebrating 100 years, but St. Therese herself is also celebrating 100 years of being canonized,” she said. “I don’t think many parishes, even if they complete their 100 years, can say that they’ve grown with their saints.”

The parish has deep roots in the lives of many local families. Paul Archuleta’s family began attending in 1960 after moving to Midvale from Bingham. Archuleta served as an altar boy in the early years, and his family – including three sisters, two brothers, and his wife Rita – have continuously been parishioners ever since.

Sandra Villareal’s family ties go back even further. In the 1950s, her grandparents, Rodolfo and Amelia Romero, moved from New Mexico and began attending services at St. Therese’s with their 13 children. Since then, Villareal’s family has maintained a strong presence; most of the 47 grandchildren were baptized there, and some were married in the parish church.

“St. Therese was our hub of life and connectivity; it was kind of what we knew,” said Villareal, who these days regularly attends Mass at the church with three uncles and an aunt.

To celebrate the centennial, the parish is holding a dinner dance on Oct. 18 in the parish hall. All current and past parishioners are invited to attend. Advance tickets ($30) are available by contacting the parish office; tickets will be $40 at the door.

Fr. Rausseo also hopes to organize a celebratory Mass in November or January and plans to invite Bishop Oscar A. Solis and priests who formerly served in the parish. Additionally, the parish is collecting personal stories from parishioners and priests to be published in the parish bulletins until the end of the Jubilee year.

To honor the newly canonized St. Carlo Acutis, the parish will name its faith formation center after the millennial saint. Fr. Gustavo Vidal, spiritual director of the Blessed Carlo Acutis Apostolate, has been invited to participate in the naming ceremony, for which the date has not yet been set.